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My open carry gun is a SA1911A1 designed to be carried in Cooper Condition one - round chambered, full magazine in place, hammer back and safety on. It is carried in a Blackhawk SERPA with two retention devices, an adjustable draw tension that requires a draw parallel to the device, and a trigger guard latch.

My concealed carry gun is a DA/SA H&K USPc .40 that I carry in Cooper Condition two - round chambered, hammer down with control lever in FIRE because that's the way I trained.

I do not carry my Luger, and I keep it's chamber empty and the safety off because the safety is ineffective and easily defeated. It is not a self-defense gun so there's plenty of time to prepare to fire.

One in the chamber, always. Doesn't matter whether it's my single-action Rock Island 1911, or my striker-fired Springfield XD. There is no guarantee that I will have a free hand to rack the slide - and if I'm carrying one of my children (which I frequently am), I definitely don't have a free hand!

Its not a matter of opinion. There is a right and wrong way on this, one in the chamber is right and and empty chamber is wrong. I can find the videos right now (any help on linking is appreciated), but there are a few that have floated around on here for a while that show a person trying to defend them-self with a pistol and fail because there is no cartridge in the chamber. In the heat of the moment needing two hands to make the firearm ready is wrong.

As far as the slightly off topic discussion of hammer position, I'd contend that it depends on the firearm.

All firearms are designed with a mode of carry (or a few) in mind, hammer at half, down, or up is one of those as is safety on or off. No pistols (that I've ever heard of anyway) are designed for an empty chamber. Some machine guns are designed for an empty chamber, however that is so far off topic I'll leave it there.

Don't believe any facts that I say! This is the internet and it is filled with lies and untruth. I invite you to look up for yourself the basic facts that my arguments might be based upon. This way we can have a discussion where logic and hints on where to find information are what is brought to the forum and people look up and verify facts for themselves.

Its not a matter of opinion. There is a right and wrong way on this, one in the chamber is right and and empty chamber is wrong.

Sorry but the issue isn't black and white. The fact that you can find videos of other peoples' opinions on the matter does not make them the rule.

Obviously, round in chamber is faster in every way but with open carry you've got other factors than speed. I think the OP was trying to get a feel for how concerned everyone is about somebody taking their gun from them and having it be used against them. In this scenario, not having a round in the chamber would buy you some extra time to fight or flee.

4angrybadgers mentioned that he often has his free hand occupied by a child making one-hand use ideal, but that would also make you an easier target to be disarmed. An empty chamber might have a place in that argument also.

I'm not saying that I have a stance either way, just try not to shoot down someone's legitimate concerns because your views are so strong.

there is no how to guide on to carry one in the chamber or without. just pulling your gun is going to stop an attacker most of the time (not everyone needs to be trigger happy to get that kill under your belt.).

now if you have to use it and hopefully you never have to because im pretty sure it will haunt you. you will have the option that your ready for it because you have one in the chamber. now if you have had your carry gun for a while you can rack it pretty quick however i see no need to waste my time racking my gun in a attack. so i will keep one in the pipe but if i ever have to pull it i wont take that safty off until im sure there is no other options for me.

Sorry but the issue isn't black and white. The fact that you can find videos of other peoples' opinions on the matter does not make them the rule.

Obviously, round in chamber is faster in every way but with open carry you've got other factors than speed. I think the OP was trying to get a feel for how concerned everyone is about somebody taking their gun from them and having it be used against them. In this scenario, not having a round in the chamber would buy you some extra time to fight or flee.

4angrybadgers mentioned that he often has his free hand occupied by a child making one-hand use ideal, but that would also make you an easier target to be disarmed. An empty chamber might have a place in that argument also.

I'm not saying that I have a stance either way, just try not to shoot down someone's legitimate concerns because your views are so strong.

If you can't discharge a cartridge when the matter is life and death, then you are carrying chunk of metal, not a firearm, kinda pointless and dangerous. If you can't keep control of your weapon, then you've already lost and carrying probably wasn't for you, perhaps running would have been a better option. Any delay in discharging a firearm in self defense once a need has arisen will benefit the offender as it gives time for them to complete their violent action, delays are the wrong way to go. And I don't feel strongly on any such subject, such would take caring; I don't care how you or anyone else carries a firearm as long as it is not a threat to me. All opinions are not correct as opinions are simply a judgement based upon incomplete knowledge.

Don't believe any facts that I say! This is the internet and it is filled with lies and untruth. I invite you to look up for yourself the basic facts that my arguments might be based upon. This way we can have a discussion where logic and hints on where to find information are what is brought to the forum and people look up and verify facts for themselves.

I always carry with one in the chamber. If open carrying, I always use a proper retention holster. This is just common sense, I don't see much of a debate here.

agreed.

using a cheap holster with a strap can be a bad idea. ill admit iv got a cheap one. when i first got my gun i thought just any would do. i thought it was perfect because it was made for my sidearm i got it off there web page also. but after having my girlfriend come behind me to try to take it she can do it almost with out a problem.

spend the extra money get a nice holster, no one will get your gun besides you.

Most people don't realize that condition 1 is slower than condition 2 for a double action...

No it isn't. The thumb safety is disengaged during the rotation of the draw stroke, before the firearm is pointed downrange. At any time after rotation, while the firearm is being extended, it may be fired, just like with a double-action, only with a better trigger.

"It's not important how many people I've killed. What's important is how I get along with the people who are still alive" - Jimmy the Tulip

No matter what anyone says, one in the chamber, hammer back, safety on. I have a magnum research 1911g, so I have a thumb and grip safety. No worries about a negligent discharge. I've done lots of reading, and if anyone comes to disarm you, elbow on the grip. They may be strong, but not strong enough to break your arm bone. If you elbow down on the grip, they can't pull it out of the holster, they can't disarm. I will always have a full mag and a round chambered. Never know if you have one or nine assailants. I'm prepared either way.

OP HERE. I figure one in the chamber is the best way to go. But as a female (and a small one at that) there is constantly this thought of "what if he gets a hold of my gun?" Maybe it's just my own paranoia.

using a cheap holster with a strap can be a bad idea. ill admit iv got a cheap one. when i first got my gun i thought just any would do. i thought it was perfect because it was made for my sidearm i got it off there web page also. but after having my girlfriend come behind me to try to take it she can do it almost with out a problem.

spend the extra money get a nice holster, no one will get your gun besides you.

Except police and criminals that make themselves familiar with such holsters and how to disengage the locking mechanisms...

Don't believe any facts that I say! This is the internet and it is filled with lies and untruth. I invite you to look up for yourself the basic facts that my arguments might be based upon. This way we can have a discussion where logic and hints on where to find information are what is brought to the forum and people look up and verify facts for themselves.

I figure one in the chamber is the best way to go.
But as a female (and a small one at that) there is constantly this thought of "what if he gets a hold of my gun?"

Maybe it's just my own paranoia.

He'll have a better chance of getting your gun if you have an empty chamber. Once he has it the difficulty in racking the slide is trivial since you are now disarmed.

Don't believe any facts that I say! This is the internet and it is filled with lies and untruth. I invite you to look up for yourself the basic facts that my arguments might be based upon. This way we can have a discussion where logic and hints on where to find information are what is brought to the forum and people look up and verify facts for themselves.

Except police and criminals that make themselves familiar with such holsters and how to disengage the locking mechanisms...

im almost positive that a criminal is not going to go out buy all types of retention holsters just so they know how to rip one off. if they had that kind of money they wouldn't be robbing you of your firearm. and 2 if they get that close there will of course be a struggle, now im pretty sure your adrenaline will be pumping then giving you the extra muscle you never knew you had, witch will help you get the robber off of you.

im not trying to start a argument on here but i highly doubt that someones going to rip your gun out of a nice retention holster from behind you.

im almost positive that a criminal is not going to go out buy all types of retention holsters just so they know how to rip one off. if they had that kind of money they wouldn't be robbing you of your firearm. and 2 if they get that close there will of course be a struggle, now im pretty sure your adrenaline will be pumping then giving you the extra muscle you never knew you had, witch will help you get the robber off of you.

im not trying to start a argument on here but i highly doubt that someones going to rip your gun out of a nice retention holster from behind you.

Well ones with badges do. A fellow local OCer had that happen a few months back.

Don't believe any facts that I say! This is the internet and it is filled with lies and untruth. I invite you to look up for yourself the basic facts that my arguments might be based upon. This way we can have a discussion where logic and hints on where to find information are what is brought to the forum and people look up and verify facts for themselves.

Don't believe any facts that I say! This is the internet and it is filled with lies and untruth. I invite you to look up for yourself the basic facts that my arguments might be based upon. This way we can have a discussion where logic and hints on where to find information are what is brought to the forum and people look up and verify facts for themselves.

but a officer did not just walk up to him and snatch his gun off without saying a word first. IMO if a cop wants to walk up to me take my gun and arrest me more power to him. i will sit stay silent and be hauled off.

now if a cop walks up to me not saying a word sneaking up behind me snatching my gun i will already have pulled out my knife and stabbed his hand. that is a " no no"

so back on topic no one is going to try that and be able to pull your firearm without consent. But if a cop does stop you, and take your firearm LET THEM. Your not going to win right there on the street if the LEO doesnt know the laws. Fights are best won in court ,not the streets.